Raw Exercise
– by Kristen Suzanne
I switch between an all-raw and HRAV (High Raw, All Vegan) diet and my husband follows suit since I’m in charge of food – haha! 🙂 I’m not soft and skinny; my body is toned and I have no problem maintaining that. And, my husband is buff and his bod is mega hot – ripped abs, chiseled chest…TMI? Maybe… 😉 Then again, maybe not!
Here’s what we do to maintain our muscle mass…
Strength Train
We get our butts in the gyms at least 5 days a week! Period.
Sound simple? It is!
Eat a Healthy, Alkaline Diet Complete with Nutrient Dense Foods
Consume enough calories in general, including foods rich in amino acids and carbs.
As people who work out a lot, we add more protein to our diet. To do this, we drink shakes and smoothies with raw vegan protein powders like hemp, sprouted brown rice, and/or pea protein.
We also like green smoothies (fresh amino acid-rich greens and fruit blended into deliciousness). And, of course, we LOVE our fresh green juice which fills our bodies with anti-aging phytonutrients.
Consume certain foods before and after our workouts. Our exercise tends to last 60 to 75 minutes. Before a training session, we typically consume something with simple carbs and a little protein (fresh dates, a ripe banana, handful of nuts – an excellent workout fuel). After a workout (within 60 minutes of completing the workout), have a small smoothie with simple carbs and protein.
Recovery
This is an important topic that is frequently left out. You need to let your body recover and build, and this includes getting plenty of rest and sleep. Diet is also an important aspect of recovery, but rest and sleep are vital. Getting 7 to 8 hours is optimal.
Boiling it down… we listen to our bodies, monitor our progress, and make changes as needed. Ensuring success might mean some calorie counting — at least in the beginning — until you get an idea of what you should be consuming on a daily basis and how your body responds.
Everyone is different, so you need to find what works for you personally.
It can be done!
🙂